asked the Minister for Health if a young girl aged 14½ years (name supplied) found to be suffering from otitis-media during national school examination by the medical officer of health and who is being refused free specialist treatment by the South Eastern Health Board because the family are in the higher income group is in fact entitled to such treatment irrespective of parents' income or valuation on the basis that it is an ailment discovered during routine national school medical inspection.

The eligibility of an individual for a specific health service is a matter for determination by the appropriate health board.

I understand that the South Eastern Health Board is continuing its inquiries into the eligibility of the person concerned for health services.